Measurement Of Technical Efficiency Of Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs In Kanpur Nagar: An Application Of Data Envelopment Analysis

Abstract

Under the flagship Ayushman Bharat Mission, the government of India established Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) as pivotal points for delivering comprehensive primary healthcare, including non-communicable disease (NCD) management, screening, wellness sessions, mental health and so on. Evaluating their operational efficiency is crucial for optimizing resource utilization, process improvement and enhancing service delivery. This study assesses the technical efficiency of 33 HWCs in a district of Uttar Pradesh, employing Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to quantify performance variations based on outpatient visits and NCD patient care.

Two DEA models were constructed: Model 1 considered outpatient visits as output with ASHA and ANM personnel as inputs; Model 2 focused on hypertensive and diabetic patient management with facility infrastructure and drug availability as inputs. Efficiency scores were calculated under Variable Returns to Scale (VRS) assumptions. The significant heterogeneity in efficiency underscores the need for targeted interventions focusing on workforce capacity building, on the job training, upgradation of health technology, and strenghtening of the clinical capacity to enhance HWCs’ performance. Integrating DEA findings with qualitative inputs can guide policy towards achieving equitable and effective primary care crucial for Universal Health Coverage in India.